Runners on their mark for season

The men’s and women’s cross country teams are eagerly preparing for a new year starting on Saturday, according to Director of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Michelle Eisenreich.

“The enthusiasm is amazing,” Eisenreich said. “Everybody is working hard at this point in the season, and may be even ready to step it up a notch.”

Eisenreich, the longtime throwing coach, replaced former Head Coach Craig Lake after last season.

The men hope to improve on last season’s results, when they placed fifth at the Ivy League Championships. NCAA Championships qualifier Christian Escareno ’11 is expected to lead the team, along with co-captains Matt Duffy ’12 and Chris Collins ’11.

While only a few runners will travel to the Boston College Invitational this Saturday, the rest of the team will continue to prepare for the Iona Meet of Champions in New York a week later. Bruno will face its first big test of the year there, with hopes that its preseason work pays off.

Brown hopes to find a new men’s distance coach this month, Eisenreich said, after Kevin Myles left the program to become Head Men’s Track Coach at nearby Providence College.